<p>Skybirdsmom,
What you said about your son sounds alot like mine. </p>
<p>I pretty much knew my son would be in the Army, he loved everything military related since he was a tiny boy, but never expected his desire to go to USMA (surprise #1 for me). When he went to his first informational meeting for West Point I went with him. Prior to that meeting I knew very little about the place so I learned alot. After the meeting I asked my son if he really wanted to go to West Point and he said he did. I asked why, he told me he wanted to make the Army his career (surprise #2) and that he felt West Point would make him the best officer and best leader he could be. After that conversation I was 100% behind him and did whatever I could to help him with the process. His back up plan was an ROTC scholarship to an in-state college. I was very proud of him when he earned that 4-year scholarship. After he was offered the AOG scholarship I was just as proud as if he had gotten a direct admit to USMA. Now my son is doing very well at NMMI. He has his complaints about the place but is doing what he needs to do to reach his ultimate goal. In the long run, the year at NMMI will help him when he gets to West Point. I have heard from many former preps and parents of preps that the extra year was a great asset.</p>
<p>As far as contact with ther Regional Commander, if I remember correctly, last year my son emailed or spoke to him occasionally but not every week. Before his file was complete it seemed like they communicated more often. </p>
<p>Good luck to your son!</p>